Sections of this page: KUMC faculty tenure, promotions announced LIFELINE Training for Supervisors New Communication System A comprehensive and state-of-the-art communication system is being implemented to allow quicker and easier access to all KU Medical Center employees. The campus-wide communication system is the result of cooperation among KU Physicians, Inc. (KUPI), the Medical Center and the hospital. Before the system becomes operational, several steps must be completed. First and foremost, the PULSE telephone directory must be updated because it will serve as the master database for the entire Medical Center. “All key directories will, in turn, be updated from the PULSE directory, including the directory in GroupWise, the switchboard directory-which has information for the new paging system that’s being installed-and the printed directory,” said Jim Bingham, Associate Vice Chancellor for Information Resources. To that end, all employees are being asked to review the PULSE directory and provide updates and corrections to their departmental PULSE coordinators. The second phase in the start-up of the campus-wide communication system is the replacement of ALL pagers, including current AirTouch pagers, with new digital or alphanumeric pagers. AirTouch is being contracted to provide single-source-paging solutions for KUPI, Medical Center and hospital employees. Vic Arnold, chief operating officer for KUPI, oversaw the request for proposal process. Presentations on the new communication system and new pagers will be scheduled during July. Department heads are encouraged to attend to identify the type of pager (alphanumeric or digital) for their staff. Arnold suggested that physicians select alphanumeric pagers, which displays a more complete message and improve the response time for physician-to-physician and physician-to-patient communication. With the updated PULSE directory and the new AirTouch pagers, employees will be able to activate pagers by using GroupWise or calling the seven-digit pager number. Attempts will be made to preserve the currently assigned four digits as part of the new pager numbers. The PULSE directory must be accurate for the new pagers to work. The final steps in completing the implementation of the campus-wide communication system include the installing new switchboard software to enhance the overall efficiency in switchboard operations and physically moving the switchboard to Hospital Information Systems. KUMC at A Glance TODAY: Townhall meeting with KUMC leadership--3:45-4:45 p.m.,
Sudler In upcoming issues Q&A Q: What effect will the transition to the Authority Board have on job security? A: All positions that are directly and specifically related to the operation of the hospital will be transferred to the Authority Board’s jurisdiction. No lay-offs are planned as a direct result of the transition. If you have a job with the hospital now, you will be offered a similar job at a pay rate at least equal to your current rate under the Authority. These include nursing, housekeeping, hospital billing and accounting, and hospital departments. Certain support services (such as printing services, facilities operations, and police and security) will remain in the Medical Center. Employees who transfer to the Authority Board will receive letters offering them positions with the Board after its first meeting, set for July 14 and 15. Q: What will happen to our benefits such as retirement and sick/vacation time? Who decided which employees would remain with KPERS? A: The law establishing the Authority Board requires it to offer KPERS and Regents retirement plans to all employees who transfer. The Authority Board cannot change the terms and contributions of those plans. They will continue to be set by KPERS or the Regents. All employees to transfer to the Authority Board will bring their retirement and accrued sick/vacation leave with them. The Authority Board will decide future vacation/sick leave accrual. Q: Who are the members of the Authority Board? A: The legislation established a 14-member Board to govern the hospital. Members of the board are Robert Hemenway, chancellor of the University of Kansas; Sen. Sherman Jones, 4th Kansas Senate District; Sen. Sandra Praeger, 2nd Kansas Senate District; Bill Docking, president, director and CEO of Union State Bank; Sylvia Robinson, manager and program officer of Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; Ed Chapman, attorney and civic leader; George Farha, MD, founding chair of KU School of Medicine-Wichita, Department of Surgery; Dorothy Lynch, trustee, KU Endowment Association; Mark Parkinson, former Kansas legislator and Board chair of Mission Springs Assisted Living Facility; Donald Hagen, executive vice chancellor, KU Medical Center; Deborah Powell, MD, executive dean, KU School of Medicine; Karen L. Miller, RN, PhD, dean of KU Schools of Nursing and Allied Health; Irene Cumming, CEO of KU Hospital, and William Barkman, MD, interim chief of medical staff, KU Medical Center.
Missouri okays long-term insurance If you have questions, call The Hartford at 1-888-898-3602. The Benefits Office, 1040 Wescoe, still has application forms if you wish to pick one up. Credit Union names lucky numbers KUMC faculty tenure, promotions announced The Office of Faculty Affairs and Institutional Research has announced the following faculty who have received promotion and tenure: To professor, previously tenured: To professor, VA affiliated To clinical professor To research professor To associate professor, with tenure VA Leavenworth Regents Contract track To clinical associate professor To research associate professor To assistant professor Award of tenure I‘ve just returned from attending the 5th Congress of Health Professions Educators in Washington, DC. At this truly exciting two-day conference we explored such topics as the implications of genetic advances; the structure and organization of academic health centers; financing education, healthcare teams in the future; and, alternative models for healthcare. Once again, I’m reminded of the opportunity we have, right here in the Midwest, to be a change agent and a national leader. Often, our broadcast and print media look to either the East or West Coast to set the course in politics and social trends. There’s good reason for this. However, too often, the trends fizzle and are finally declared passing fads. Here in our nation’s heartland, we are in the enviable position to watch the emerging trends, analyze them and evaluate them. The Midwest contributes to a stable society because we can balance, test and discard fleeting fancies. We can be proud of this role. Yet, we must engage in this reflection and study with rigor of thought and integrity of intent. I truly hope we don’t give in to petty politics that undermines a value system built on respect for another’s deeply held beliefs and personal freedoms. This weekend I’m privileged to participate in the Kansas Health Ethics Conference in Wichita. We’ll be focusing on ethical issues surrounding managed care. I’ll be joining national and state leaders, healthcare providers and religious leaders as we discuss the impacts, both good and bad, on Kansas’ citizens. Once again, the University of Kansas and our medical center can play an important role for the state. Our faculty can conduct outcome studies. We can present continuing education programs for practitioners. We can identify and consult on public health issues. We can engage with businesses and industry to bring new and improved medical technologies to the market. We can serve as a facilitator for the ethical debates on healthcare and other issues facing our state. Finally, we can educate the next generation of healthcare professionals and researchers. We have a critically important role in the state and nation. Wednesday, Chancellor Hemenway, Irene Cumming and I attended the Board of Regents monthly meeting. We briefed them on the progress of our Hospital Authority transition. On Thursday the Board approved actions on start up funds for the Hospital Authority, and refinancing the parking garage to give us more flexibility to manage fees for our patients and visitors. The Regents also approved a resolution permitting our campus to issue $4.7 million in bonds to construct a building on our north campus for our Center on Aging programs and a resolution regarding parking for our Wichita campus. I hope everyone had the chance to attend my all-campus update Tuesday, June 30. Chancellor Hemenway joined me to discuss important issues facing our university. LIFELINE Training for Supervisors The Division of Personnel Services will offer LIFELINE Training for KUMC supervisors from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 16, in the Clendening Amphitheater. A certified employee assistance professional for the EAP providers for state employees conducts the sessions. New information will be provided in this year’s training to help supervisors recognize signs and symptoms of drug abuse and approaches to take to confront possible abuse. The session will inform supervisors of the services LIFELINE offers as well as enhance their management skills. The program is open to anyone or current supervisors who missed last summer’s training and new supervisors are encouraged to attend. Registration forms have been sent to all department heads and are available in the Benefits Office, 1040 Wescoe. If you have questions, call ext. 5263 or 5087. Automotive For Sale Housing Wanted Study Subjects Topics Information Topics ad policy Prepared by Printing Service Imaging |
